Galería Elvira Moreno

Contact: Elvira Moreno
Carrera 23 #72 a - 61

The Inmaterial. In the life and work of Luis Fernando Zapata

The Colombian artist Luis Fernando Zapata had a short yet prolific artistic life profoundly affected by the advent of the AIDS epidemic and reflected in the research he conducted in his many travels through the Colombian ancient cultures, the Egiptian trans continent and the Middle East. His journeys clearly marked his iconography and his personal one further more. We have chosen the title “The inmemorial, life and art of Luis Fernando Zapata based on the Jean-Francios Lyotard’s idea of the “immemorial,” which he describes as “that which can never be remembered (represented to consciousness) nor forgotten (consigned to oblivion). It is that which returns uncannily.” It is now, in the 30th anniversary of his passing due to AIDS related complications that we celebrate his life in the most uncanny possible way, honoring his artistic life and presenting a comprehensive exhibition of each and everyone of his series.

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Galeria
Galeria Elvira Moreno
Elvira Moreno
Francisco Arevalo
Carrera 23 #72 a - 61
3144098032
Luis Fernando Zapata
Barca Funeraria, 1992
Paper pulp, pigments and miscellaneous objects
190 x 65 x 10

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Sin Título, 1989
Marble dust
145 x 97

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Sin título, 1984
Acrylic on canvas
100 x 70

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Barca Funeraria, , 1992
Paper pulp, pigments, various objects
186 x 61 x 13

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Escudo, 1987
Paper pulp, sawdust, pigments
112 x 77

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Estela, 0
Paper pulp, pigments
190 x 128

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Estela, 1989
Paper pulp, pigment
142 x 93

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Estela, 1989
Paper pulp, pigment
192x125x2

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Objeto Ritual, 1990
Paper pulp, various objects
190 x 90 x 6

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
Luis Fernando Zapata
Objeto ritual, 1990
Paper pulp, pigments and wood
124 x 73 x 2

Artist review

Luis Fernando Zapata (Colombia, 1951 - 1994) was a Colombian artist whose work focused on the expression of imponderable and eternal notions. Implicit in the character of his works was an inclination towards a restrained gesture, towards a presence that does not provoke disturbance, nourished by a provincial origin that kept him safe from any fickleness of the current artistic scene. Fatality would make this natural principle the best vehicle for his searches and idealised reconstructions of millenary rites and magical invocations. The work of Luis Fernando Zapata from 1990 onwards, refers to an enquiry into the first artistic forms, to the mystery of the disappearance of art and the reasons for its existence. However, the support of his pieces transcends the naturalistic essence of prehistoric art as understood by the animalistic figures found in some current expressions. But it is part of the context in which, through the symbolism of burials and excavations, an attempt is made to discover " gates of light " towards new visions of our world. The Tombs, Sarcophagi and Funeral Boats were prominent works which symbolised vehicles of travel towards an immaterial dimension, a theme which Zapata devoted himself to expressing for most of his artistic life.

About the artist
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